Goetz Steps Aside Before January's First Snowstorm

In his second stint as interim superintendent of Monroe Public Schools, John Goetz had to cancel school days in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene and then for a rare October snowstorm dubbed "Storm Alfred."

Whenever a major storm is in the weather forecast, Goetz said the worst part of a superintendent's job is getting up at 4 a.m., making calls and gathering the information needed to decide whether or not to delay or cancel school.

Friday was Goetz's last official day on the job. This week he will hand the reigns over to the town's new schools chief, James Agostine — when snow is in the forecast.

"I said, 'Jim, you're off to a good start,'" Goetz told the audience at an awards ceremony in the Masuk High School media center Friday morning.

The room erupted into laughter.

Goetz said he will assist Agostine with the transition over the next four days.

The retired superintendent, who lives in New Fairfield, said he has no immediate plans to work in another district. Goetz said he will travel, adding he has a daughter in Phoenix and friends in Florida.

John Battista was promoted from Masuk principal to assistant superintendent of schools just before Goetz was brought in to lead the district.

"In the six months I have learned so much. He is an outstanding mentor," Battista said of Goetz. "He has been wonderful to me. He united us all."

Battista said Goetz went out of his way to prepare him for his new role before a new superintendent was hired.

"He made sure I understood every aspect of budgeting, staffing and time management at Central Office," Battista said. "John involved me in every meeting. That was his motivation, to make sure I understood what was going on."

Now Battista said he looks forward to working with Agostine, who he says has many of the same positive qualities that Goetz has.

"He has a strong background in curriculum," Battista said of Agostine, adding it is key as the district is adopting new national standards. "He will move us forward."